Modular deflecting baffle and mounting system

ABSTRACT

An improved deflecting baffle, deflecting baffle system, baffle mounting system, and components and method of installation thereof is provided having a universal mounting and installation system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/446,279, filed Jan. 13, 2017, and titled “MODULAR DEFLECTING BAFFLE AND MOUNTING SYSTEM”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to improved mounting systems for ballistic deflecting baffles and methods of installation. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to modular deflecting baffles having a universal mounting system and methods of installing baffle systems for deflecting ballistic projectiles.

BACKGROUND

Firearm training is important for improvement of firearm proficiency and safety. Firearm training is frequently conducted at firearm training facilities such as outdoor and indoor shooting ranges. Shooting ranges may include permanent structures or locations for training by hunting or shooting enthusiasts or by military and law enforcement. Shooting ranges used for target practice may also include temporary shooting ranges configured for specialized training or training events.

Safety at shooting ranges is paramount because of the risk of death or serious bodily injury that could potentially be inflicted by stray ballistic projectiles. Shooting ranges commonly use structures to deflect, direct, contain and/or stop bullets, to prevent bullets from inadvertently hitting a person or escaping the containment area. Such structures may include, among other structures, bullet traps, deflective baffles, and/or mounds of earth in the case of outdoor shooting ranges.

Ballistic baffles are commonly used to deflect and direct ballistic projectiles toward a bullet containment area or bullet traps and to prevent them from ricocheting toward the shooter or other people at the shooting range. Ballistic baffles may also be used to prevent stray bullets from penetrating building walls or ceilings and escaping the shooting area or shooting range building.

In commercial shooting ranges, people commonly shoot from a fixed firing position, in which the shooters are prevented from moving downrange, and are separated from other shooters by ballistic walls, sometimes referred to as stall walls, which provide additional protection from errant bullets. In fixed firing position ranges, there are several types of deflective baffles that have been historically used.

Safety Ceiling Baffles are commonly installed horizontally or nearly horizontally above shooting stalls to form a ballistic barrier from bullets discharged upwards within the stalls.

Row Ceiling Baffles are commonly installed downrange from and adjacent to the Safety Ceiling Baffles at an angle that will promote the travel of stray bullets downrange towards a bullet containment device, such as a bullet trap, and are arranged in rows across the top of the range in a manner to prevent bullets from leaving the range.

Other types of ballistic deflecting baffles may also be used at shooting ranges. For example, in tactical ranges, Tactical Ceiling Baffles may be installed across the ceiling of the shooting range in such a manner as to prevent bullets from leaving the range area when fired beyond the firing line towards the targets, and up to an angle perpendicular to the floor anywhere within the range. This allows realistic firearms training for law enforcement and military, in which the shooters can travel downrange and approach the targets.

Historically, these different deflective baffle types have required separate installation procedures and hardware. In addition, some baffle types were suspended from the roof structure by means of chains and/or aircraft cable and cable hardware. Installation of presently available deflective baffles requires many labor hours to lift the heavy baffle plates into position, to accurately attach the mounting chains/cables, and to lock them together and into place. As the baffles are suspended, the weight of the heavy baffles can cause deflection of the support beams, which causes the need to readjust the mounting height of the baffles after they are all installed. Because the cabling is usually secured with hardware that pinches the cable, re-anchoring the cables often causes fraying of the cables, creating risk that the anchoring cables could break or stretch. Also, the weight of the heavy baffles over time can cause sagging of the baffle plates, which can lead to improper baffle deflection angles and could cause safety concerns.

An improved ballistic deflecting baffle, deflecting baffle system, baffle mounting system, and components and methods of installation thereof may therefore be desirable to attempt to address the forgoing and other challenges.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one or more aspects and or embodiments of the present disclosure, improved deflecting baffles, deflecting baffle systems, baffle mounting systems, and components and methods of installation thereof are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described in reference to the accompanying drawings wherein the drawings show various perspectives of ballistic deflecting baffles, deflecting baffle systems, baffle mounting systems, and components and methods of installation thereof, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is made to certain of such illustrative embodiments that are depicted in the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the modular deflective baffle system for a shooting range, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the modular deflective baffle system for a shooting range of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a shooting range with the modular deflective baffle system, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 4A-4C are side views of a shooting range with the modular deflective baffle system according to various embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed view of a modular deflective baffle system, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hanger assembly of the modular deflective baffle system of FIG. 5, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a safety ceiling baffle assembly according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the front panel of a baffle plate with anti-splatter material, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a row ceiling baffle assembly, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a row ceiling baffle assembly, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tactical ceiling baffle assembly, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The components of the embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein can be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

The phrase “coupled to” is broad enough to refer to any suitable coupling or other form of interaction between two or more entities. Thus, two components may be coupled to each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. For example, two components may be coupled to one another through an intermediate component. The phrase “attached to” refers to interaction between two or more entities which are in direct contact with each other and/or are separated from each other only by a fastener of any suitable variety (e.g., an adhesive, weld, nut, bolt, etc.).

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate perspective views of shooting ranges with a modular deflecting baffle system 10. The shooting ranges may include multiple lanes or stalls 12 that may be separated by stall walls 14, which provide protection from errant bullets fired from adjacent lanes or stalls 12.

The modular deflecting baffle system 10 may further include a baffle mounting support structure 100, a safety ceiling baffle system 200, and a row ceiling baffle system 300. The baffle mounting support structure 100 provides a structure for hanging baffles from the ceiling to deflect, direct, contain, and/or stop stray ballistic projectiles. The baffles help prevent stray ballistic projectiles from penetrating building walls or ceilings and escaping the shooting area or shooting range building. In some embodiments, such as a tactical shooting range, the modular deflecting baffle system 10 may further include a tactical ceiling baffle system (not illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) that hangs from the baffle mounting support structure 100 to deflect, direct, contain, and/or stop stray ballistic projectiles in a tactical setting (e.g., moving shooter).

The baffle mounting support structure 100 may include a grid for hanging the baffles. The baffle mounting support structure 100 may include a structural supporting framework 110 for supporting the grid and may be constructed of structural supports such as steel I-beams or H-beams for supporting the grid. The supporting framework may also be made of such other components and materials adequate for supporting the mounting grid, ballistic deflecting baffles, components of the deflecting baffles system, and other components used for a particular training facility.

The grid of the baffle mounting support structure 100 may include mounting supports 120 secured to the structural framework 110 of the mounting grid at an underside region of the upper support beams. The mounting supports 120 may comprise strut channels made of steel having a zinc coating (galvanized), paint, epoxy, powder coat, or other finish. The mounting supports 120 (e.g., strut channels) may be disposed parallel to the anticipated line of fire with respect to the intended direction of ballistic projectiles at a shooting range. The mounting supports 120 may also be disposed perpendicular to a series of structural support beams to which the mounting supports are secured. FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a shooting range with multiple lanes 12. The lanes are separated by stall walls 14 between each fixed shooting location. At the end of each shooting lane is a bullet trap 16 for collecting bullets fired by the shooter. Each lane includes a safety ceiling baffle assembly 202 that is above the fixed shooting location. Each lane also includes multiple row ceiling baffle assemblies 302 that deflect, direct, contain, and/or stop stray ballistic projectiles.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate side views of various embodiments of a lane 12 that includes the safety ceiling baffle system 200 and the row ceiling baffle system 300. A user (i.e., shooter) stands in a fixed location and shoots downrange towards the bullet trap 16. FIG. 4A illustrates an embodiment in which the row ceiling baffle system 300 includes multiple row ceiling baffle assemblies 302. The row ceiling baffle assemblies 302 are located in various positions downrange from the user and are positioned to deflect, direct, contain, and/or stop stray ballistic projectiles. FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate multiple firing lines 19 (e.g., dotted lines) from which the user could fire a ballistic projectile and how each firing line is deflected, directed, contained, and/or stopped by the row ceiling baffle assemblies 302. FIG. 4A illustrates seven row ceiling baffles assemblies 302; however, the present disclosure is not so limited and there may be more or less than seven row ceiling baffle assemblies 302. FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate alternative row ceiling baffle system 300 placement locations and how they deflect, direct, contain, and/or stop stray ballistic projectiles. FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate eight row ceiling baffle assemblies 302.

FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed view of the modular deflecting baffle system 10. The grid of the baffle mounting support structure 100 may be assembled by securing baffle support rods 130 to the mounting supports using adjustable hanger assemblies 140. The baffle support rods 130 are disposed perpendicular to the mounting supports 120. In some embodiments the baffle support rods 130 may be comprised of tubular metal pipes or rods. The metal support rods 130 may be from about 0.75 inches to 2 inches in diameter, may be comprised of steel, and may have a zinc coating (galvanized), paint, epoxy, powder coat, or other finish. In some embodiments, a metal tubular support rod 130 may be about 1.315 inches in diameter.

The hanger assemblies 140 are configured for supporting tubular hanging rods 130, and may also be made of steel and may have a zinc coating (galvanized), paint, epoxy, powder coat, or other finish. The hanger assemblies 140 may be height adjustable and enable the installers to adjust the height of the tubular support rods 130 of the baffle mounting support structure 100.

FIG. 6 illustrates a hanger assembly 140 that includes a loop 142, a bolt 144, an alignment member 146, alignment projection 147, a nut 148, and a spring 149. The loop 142 holds the tubular support rod 130. The bolt 144 attaches the loop 142 to the mounting support 120 (see FIG. 5). The bolt attaches to the mounting support 120 by nut 148. The length of bolt 144 enables the hanger assembly 140 to achieve various heights and enables installers to adjust the length of the hanger assemblies 140 and accordingly customize a grid system for hanging baffles. In some embodiments, a mounting support 120 (i.e., strut channel) may include a plurality of apertures that may be uniformly spaced along the mounting support 120. The bolt 144 may be inserted into one of the apertures with the alignment member 146 centered on the bolt 144. The alignment member 146 may include a couple of alignment projections 147 that insert into apertures of the mounting support 120 and align the alignment member in the same direction as the mounting support 120. The hanger assemblies 140 secure the tubular support rods 130 to the mounting support 120 in a configuration that permits securing or “hooking” ballistic deflecting baffles to the grid of the baffle mounting support structure 100.

The elevation of the mounting grid is configured to be easily adjustable to permit leveling of baffles or to permit post-installation adjustments to baffle elevations and angles to account for deflection of structural support beams or strut channels. For example, where the mounting grid is being installed in a structure with an extended ceiling, such as a 15 foot ceiling, the mounting grid elevation may be adjusted to an appropriate height during installation by securing the mounting supports 120 (e.g., strut channels) to threaded rods extending from the upper structural support beams and secured to the upper structural support beams using beam clamps or other hardware. After baffles are hung on the tubular support rods 130, adjustments to baffle elevations and angles may be made by adjusting the elevation of the adjustable pipe hanger assemblies 140 (e.g., adjustable loop hanger assemblies) securing the tubular support rods 130.

In some embodiments, various ballistic deflecting baffles and systems may use baffle plates having a universal baffle length and width dimensions and made of a high grade steel. In some embodiments, the baffle systems (e.g., baffle systems 200, 300, and 400 described herein) include a baffle plate having dimensions of about 48 inches wide by about 48 to 96 inches long and between about 0.25 inches thick and about 0.50 inches thick.

In some embodiments, one or more rows of safety ceiling baffle assemblies 202 may be coupled together and disposed above and parallel to one or more shooting stalls 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 7 illustrates safety ceiling baffle assemblies 202 coupled together, according to one embodiment. The safety ceiling baffle assembly 202 may include a plurality of metal baffle plates 210 (typically two baffle plates). The baffle plates 210 are configured with a plurality of hanger strips 220 secured to the baffle plates 210 along or adjacent to two perimeter edges that are parallel to an anticipated direction for line of fire for ballistic projectiles. In some embodiments, at least one hanger strip 220 is welded along a perimeter edge of the baffle plate 210 about 1.75 inches from the perimeter edge, and at least one of the plurality of hanger strips 220 is welded along an opposing perimeter edge of the baffle plate 210 about 1.75 inches from the second perimeter edge.

The safety ceiling baffle assembly 200 are also configured with a plurality of reinforcement strips 230 secured to the baffle plates 210 along or adjacent to the two perimeter edges that are parallel to an anticipated axial direction of the metal tubular hanging rods 130 (see FIG. 5). The reinforcement strip 230 may be a strut channel. In some embodiments, at least one reinforcement strip 230 is connected along or adjacent to a third perimeter edge of the baffle, and at least one reinforcement strip 230 is connected along or adjacent to a fourth perimeter edge of the baffle plate 210 wherein the third and fourth perimeter edges are perpendicular to the anticipated axial direction of the tubular hanging rods 130. The reinforcement strips 230 (e.g., strut channels) may be connected to the baffle plates 210 by welding or by connecting them with fastening hardware or other fastening device (e.g., glue, hook and loop).

Each of the baffle plates 210 of a safety ceiling baffle assembly 202 may also include a plurality of baffle plate hanger hooks 222 attached to the hanger strips 220 and configured for hooking to the tubular support rods 130 so as to support the baffle assemblies 202 from the tubular support rods 130 in a hanging position. In some embodiments, the baffle plate hanger hooks 222 have a first end and a second end. The first end couples to the baffle plate 210 and the second end is formed as or otherwise comprises a hook 219. The baffle plate hanger hooks 222 may be rigid. In some embodiments, the baffle plate hanger hook 222 may be secured to the hanger strip 220 at each corner of a baffle plate 210.

In some embodiments, the baffle plate hanger hook 222 may be fastened to hanger strip 220 by a fastener and, prior to installation, the baffle plate hanger hooks 222 may be configured to pivot about a pivot point 218 to enable an installer to hook the baffle plate hanger hooks 222 to the tubular support rods 130. After the baffle plate hanger hooks 222 are hooked to the tubular support rods 130, the installer may tighten the fastener to fix the hanger strip 220 and the baffle plate hanger hooks 222 relative to each other. The baffle plate hanger hooks 222 may be made of metal, such as steel, and may have a zinc coating (galvanized), paint, epoxy, powder coat, or other finish. The baffle plate hanger hooks 222 may also be configured with a seismic washer (not illustrated in FIG. 7) to limit effects of seismic vibrations which could cause negative changes in the plate 210 and mount configuration during seismic activity. In some embodiments, each of the baffle plate hanger hooks 222 used for the safety ceiling baffle plate assembly are of equal length so that when hung on the baffle mounting grid the safety ceiling baffle plates will hang horizontally.

In some embodiments, each hook of a first set 221 of baffle plate hanger hooks 222 faces a first direction and each hook of a second set 223 of baffle plate hanger hooks 222 faces a second direction. In some embodiments, the hooks of the first set 221 face the hooks of the second set 223. In some embodiments, the hooks of the first set 221 face an opposing direction of the hooks of the second set 223. In some embodiments, the hooks of the first set 221 and the hooks of the second set 223 may face the same direction.

The safety ceiling baffle assembly 202 may be further configured by securing two of the metal baffle plates 210 (which have been configured with reinforcement strips 230, hanger strips 220, and baffle plate hanger hooks 222), wherein the third perimeter edge of a first baffle plate is secured adjacent to a fourth perimeter edge of a second baffle plate, wherein the third and fourth perimeter edges of the baffle plates are perpendicular to the anticipated axial direction of the tubular hanging rods 130. The perimeter edges of the baffle plates 210 are secured adjacent to each other by securing a cap channel 232 over the top of the reinforcement strip 230 connected along the third perimeter edge of the first baffle plate and along the reinforcement strip 230 connected along the fourth perimeter edge of the second baffle plate. In some embodiments, the cap channel 232 may be secured to reinforcement strips 230 connected to the third perimeter edge of the first baffle plate and to the fourth perimeter edge of the second baffle plate using screws. The cap channels 232 may be made of metal, such as steel, and may have a zinc coating (galvanized), paint, epoxy, powder coat, or other finish.

In some embodiments, the safety ceiling baffle assembly 200 may be comprised of a plurality of assembled safety ceiling baffle assemblies connected to each other using a binding channel 224. In some embodiments, the binding channel 224 is a u-channel made of metal, such as steel, and may have a zinc coating (galvanized), paint, epoxy, powder coat, or other finish.

The binding channel 224, such as a u-channel, may be used to secure the safety ceiling baffle assemblies 200 adjacent to each other by securing a first lateral side of the binding channel 224 to the hanger strips 220 disposed on a second perimeter side of a first safety ceiling baffle assembly 200 and securing a second lateral side of the binding channel 224 to the hanger strips 220 disposed on a first perimeter side of a second safety ceiling baffle assembly. In some embodiments, the binding channel 224 for a safety ceiling baffle assembly 200 may extend the length of two baffle plates 210, or about 96 inches, and may provide additional reinforcement or support for the safety ceiling baffle assembly 200 and system.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a front panel 240 for a baffle plate 210 (see FIG. 7), including anti-splatter material 242, according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, deflecting baffle plates 210 may be configured with an anti-splatter material 242 to reduce the risk of ballistic projectiles breaking into smaller pieces as they impact the baffle plates 210. A layer of sound reduction materials may also be connected to the anti-splatter material as shown in the drawings. In some embodiments, a baffle plate of a safety ceiling baffle or a row baffle may include an anti-splatter layer comprised of a plywood panel. The plywood may be secured to the side of the baffle plate expected to be impacted by bullets and may be secured using screws as shown in the drawings. Also, fascia acoustic panels, acoustic tiles, or other sound reducing material may be adhered to the plywood or other anti-splatter material using adhesive or screws as shown in the drawings. In some embodiments, the fascia acoustic panels may be mounted to the baffle plate with a space between.

FIG. 9 illustrates the row ceiling baffle system 300. The row ceiling baffle system 300 may include one or more rows of row ceiling baffle assemblies 302 disposed downrange and parallel to the safety ceiling baffle assemblies 200 that are disposed above the one or more shooting stalls 12.

The row ceiling baffle assembly 302 is comprised of a metal baffle plate 310 having a plurality of hanger strips 320 and a plurality of reinforcement strips 320 secured to the perimeter edges of the baffle plate 310 in the same configuration as the metal baffle plates 210 for the safety ceiling baffle assembly 202. The metal plate 310 is configured with a plurality of hanger strips 320 secured to the baffle plate 310 along or adjacent to the two perimeter edges that are parallel to an anticipated direction of the line of fire for ballistic projectiles. In some embodiments, at least one hanger strip 320 is welded along a first perimeter edge of the baffle plate about 1.75 inches from the first perimeter edge, and at least one of the plurality of hanger strips 320 is welded along a second perimeter edge of the baffle plate about 1.75 inches from the second perimeter edge.

The baffle plate 310 of the row ceiling baffle assembly 302, like the safety ceiling baffle assembly 202, is also configured with a plurality of reinforcement strips 330 secured to the baffle plate 310 along or adjacent to the two perimeter edges that are parallel to an anticipated axial direction of the metal tubular hanging rods 130. The reinforcement strip 330 may be a strut channel. In some embodiments, at least one reinforcement strip 330 is connected along or adjacent to a third perimeter edge of the baffle plate 310, and at least one reinforcement strip 330 is connected along or adjacent to a fourth perimeter edge of the baffle plate wherein the third and fourth perimeter edges are perpendicular to the anticipated axial direction of the tubular hanging rods 130. The reinforcement strips 330 (e.g., strut channels) may be connected to the baffle plate 310 by welding or by connecting them with screws.

The baffle plate 310 of the row ceiling baffle assembly 302 also has a plurality of baffle plate hanger hooks 322 attached to the hanger strips 320 at a pivot point 318 and are configured for hooking the tubular support rods 130 so as to support the baffle assemblies 302 from the tubular support rods 130 in a hanging position. In some embodiments, the baffle plate hanger hooks 322 have a first end and a second end. The first end couples to the baffle plate 310 and the second end is formed as or otherwise comprises a hook 319. The baffle plate hanger hooks 222 may be rigid. In some embodiments, a baffle plate hanger hook 322 may be secured to an end of a hanger strip 320 at each corner of a baffle plate 310 of the row ceiling baffle assembly 302. The baffle plate hanger hooks 322 may also be configured with a seismic washer 326, to limit effects of seismic vibrations which could cause negative changes in the plate and mount configuration during seismic activity. The seismic washer 322 may be coupled to an interior portion of the hook 319 and are configured to prevent the hooks 319 from coming off of or otherwise separating from the support rods after installation.

In some embodiments, the baffle plate hanger hooks 322 secured to the row ceiling baffle assembly 302 may have different lengths so that when hung from the baffle mounting support structure 100, the row ceiling baffle assembly 302 hangs at an angle less than 45 degrees (e.g., 25 to 30 degrees) from horizontal (e.g., the line of fire) to deflect bullets down and toward the direction of the bullet containment area. For example, a first set 321 of baffle plate hanger hooks 322 may have a first length L1, the first set 321 of baffle plate hanger hooks 322 being on the side closest to the fixed shooting position of the shooting range. A second set 323 of baffle plate hanger hooks 322 may have a second length L2, the second set 323 of baffle plate hanger hooks 322 being on the side furthest from the fixed shooting position of the shooting range. Thus, the length of the first set 321 of baffle plate hanger hooks 322 are equal in length to each other, but are shorter than the baffle plate hanger hooks 322 of the second set 323 at the target end of the row ceiling baffle assembly 302. In other embodiments, the angle may be more or less than the range 25 to 30 degrees.

In some embodiments, each hook of a first set 321 of baffle plate hanger hooks 322 faces a first direction and each hook of a second set 323 of baffle plate hanger hooks 322 faces a second direction. In some embodiments, the hooks of the first set 321 face the hooks of the second set 223. In some embodiments, the hooks of the first set 321 face an opposing direction of the hooks of the second set 323.

In some embodiments, the row ceiling baffle system 300 may be comprised of a plurality of assembled row ceiling baffle assemblies 302 connected to each other using a binding channel 324. In some embodiments, the binding channel is a u-channel made of metal, such as steel, and may have a zinc coating (galvanized), paint, epoxy, powder coat, or other finish.

The binding channel 324 may be used to secure the row ceiling baffle assemblies 302 adjacent to each other by securing a first lateral side of the binding channel 324 to the hanger strip 320 disposed on a second perimeter side of a first row ceiling baffle assembly 302 and securing a second lateral side of the binding channel 324 to the hanger strip 320 disposed on a first perimeter side of a second row ceiling baffle assembly. In some embodiments, a binding channel 324 for a row ceiling baffle system of the present disclosure may extend the length of the baffle plate, or about 48 to 96 inches, and may provide additional reinforcement for the baffle plate.

FIG. 10 is a row ceiling baffle assembly 302 that may include hanger strips 350 that include a hook 352 that is integral to the hanger strip 320 at a first end. The hook 352 is configured to hook to the support rod and hang from the support rod 130 when the row ceiling baffle assembly 302 is installed.

FIG. 11 illustrates tactical ceiling baffle assemblies 402 that may include two more rows of tactical ceiling baffle assemblies 402 coupled together and disposed downrange and parallel to the row ceiling baffle assemblies 302 (see FIG. 9) that are disposed downrange and adjacent to the safety ceiling baffle assemblies 202 (see FIG. 7) that are above the one or more shooting stalls 12.

The tactical ceiling baffle assembly 402 is comprised of a baffle plate 410 having a plurality of hanger strips 420 and a plurality of reinforcement strips 430 secured to the perimeter edges of the baffle plate 410 in the same configuration as the baffle plates 210 for the safety ceiling baffle assembly 202. The tactical ceiling baffle assembly 402 is similar to the row ceiling baffle assembly 302 in that the baffle plate hanger hooks 422 may have differing lengths between the shooter end and the downrange end of the baffle plates 410. The baffle plate hanger hooks 422 on a tactical ceiling baffle assembly 402 at the shooter end of the baffle plate 410 are equal in length to each other but shorter than the baffle plate hanger hooks 422 at the downrange end of the baffle plate. In some embodiments, the baffle plate hanger hooks 422 secured to the tactical ceiling assembly 402 have different lengths so that when hung from the baffle mounting support grid, the tactical ceiling assembly 402 hangs at an angle of less than 25 degrees (e.g., 10 to 15 degrees) from horizontal (e.g., the line of fire) to deflect bullets down and toward the direction of the bullet containment area 16. For example, a first set 421 of baffle plate hanger hooks 422 may have a first length L3, a second set 423 of baffle plate hanger hooks 422 may have a second length L4, a third set 425 of baffle plate hanger hooks 422 may have a third length L5, and a fourth set 427 of baffle plate hanger hooks 422 may have a fourth length L6. The first length L3 is shorter than L4, L5, and L6. The second length L4 is longer than L3, but shorter than L5 and L6. The third length L5 is longer than L3 and L4, but shorter than L6. L6 is longer than L3, L4, and L5.

According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a deflective baffle mounting system is provided wherein the deflective baffle mounting system may comprise: a baffle plate; a plurality of hanger strips; a plurality of reinforcement strips (e.g., strut channels in a preferred embodiment); and a plurality of plate hanger hooks, wherein at least one of the plurality of hanger strips is connected along a first perimeter side of the baffle parallel to a line of fire and at least one of the plurality of hanger strips is connected along a second perimeter side of the baffle parallel to a line of fire, and wherein at least one of the plurality of reinforcement strips (e.g., strut channels in a preferred embodiment) is connected along a third perimeter side of the baffle perpendicular to a line of fire and at least one of the plurality of reinforcement strips (e.g., strut channels in a preferred embodiment) is connected along a fourth perimeter side of the baffle perpendicular to a line of fire.

According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a deflective baffle connection system is provided wherein the deflective baffle connection system may comprise: a plurality of baffle plates; one or more binding channels (e.g., u-channels in a preferred embodiment); a plurality of hanger strips; a plurality of reinforcement strips (e.g., strut channels in a preferred embodiment); and a plurality of plate hanger hooks, wherein at least one of the plurality of hanger strips is connected along a first perimeter side of the baffle parallel to a line of fire and at least one of the plurality of hanger strips is connected along a second perimeter side of the baffle parallel to a line of fire, and wherein at least one of the plurality of reinforcement strips is connected along a third perimeter side of the baffle perpendicular to a line of fire and at least one of the plurality of reinforcement strips (e.g., strut channels in a preferred embodiment) is connected along a fourth perimeter side of the baffle perpendicular to a line of fire, and wherein at least one of the one or more binding channels (e.g., u-channels in a preferred embodiment) is secured to a first hanger strip connected to a first baffle plate on a first side of the binding channel (e.g., u-channel) and is secured to second hanger strip on a second baffle plate on a second side of the binding channel (e.g., u-channel).

According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a deflective baffle mounting grid is provided wherein the deflective baffle mounting grid may comprise: a plurality of mounting supports (e.g., strut channels in a preferred embodiment) configured for mounting tubular hanging rods; a plurality of adjustable pipe hanger assemblies (e.g., loop hanger assemblies in a preferred embodiment) configured for supporting tubular hanging rods, wherein the adjustable pipe hangers are secured vertically to the mounting supports; a plurality of tubular hanging rods, wherein the tubular hanging rods are disposed in the adjustable pipe hangers (e.g., loop hangers in a preferred embodiment).

The deflective baffle mounting grid may further comprise: a plurality of baffle plates; a plurality of reinforcement strips (e.g., strut channels in a preferred embodiment); and a plurality of plate hanger hooks, wherein at least one of the plurality of hanger strips is connected along a first perimeter side of the baffle parallel to a line of fire and at least one of the plurality of hanger strips is connected along a second perimeter side of the baffle parallel to a line of fire; and wherein at least one of the plurality of reinforcement strips (e.g., strut channels in a preferred embodiment) is connected along a third perimeter side of the baffle perpendicular to a line of fire and at least one of the plurality of reinforcement strips (e.g., strut channels) is connected along a fourth perimeter side of the baffle perpendicular to a line of fire, and wherein at least one of the one or more binding channels (e.g., u-channels in a preferred embodiment) is secured to a first hanger strip connected to a first baffle plate on a first side of the binding channel (e.g., u-channel in a preferred embodiment) and is secured to a second hanger strip on a second baffle plate on a second side of the binding channel (u-channel).

According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a deflective baffle coupling system is provided wherein the deflective baffle coupling may comprise: a plurality of baffle plates; one or more binding channels (e.g., u-channels in a preferred embodiment); one or more cap channels; a plurality of hanger strips; and a plurality of reinforcement strips (e.g., strut channels in a preferred embodiment), wherein at least one of the plurality of hanger strips is connected along a first perimeter side of the baffle parallel to a line of fire and at least one of the plurality of hanger strips is connected along a second perimeter side of the baffle parallel to a line of fire, and wherein at least one of the plurality of reinforcement strips (e.g., strut channels in a preferred embodiment) is connected along a third perimeter side of the baffle perpendicular to a line of fire and at least one of the plurality of reinforcement strips (e.g., strut channels in a preferred embodiment) is connected along a fourth perimeter side of the baffle perpendicular to a line of fire, and wherein at least one of the one or more binding channels (e.g., u-channels in a preferred embodiment) is secured to a first hanger strip connected to a first baffle plate on a first side of the binding channel (e.g., u-channel in a preferred embodiment) and is secured to a second hanger strip on a second baffle plate on a second side of the binding channel (e.g., u-channel), wherein at least one of the one or more cap channels is secured to a first reinforcement strip (e.g., strut channel) connected to a first baffle plate on a first side of the cap channel and is secured to a second reinforcement strip on a second baffle plate on a second side of the cap channel, and wherein the cap channel secured to the first baffle and the second baffle is disposed so as to trap stray bullets.

There is thus disclosed an improved deflective baffle, baffle mounting system, and method of installation. It will be appreciated that numerous changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A deflective baffle system for a firing range, the deflective baffle system comprising: a deflective baffle assembly comprising: a baffle plate; and multiple baffle plate hanger hooks that are rigid with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the baffle plate and the second end includes a hook, wherein the hook is to hook to and hang from a support rod.
 2. The deflective baffle system of claim 1, wherein the baffle plate has a rectangular shape and a baffle plate hook is coupled to each corner of the baffle plate.
 3. The deflective baffle system of claim 1, wherein the first end of the baffle plate hanger hooks pivot about a pivot point prior to installation and are fixed and do not rotate after installation.
 4. The deflective baffle system of claim 1, wherein the length of the baffle plate hanger hooks are the same.
 5. The deflective baffle system of claim 1, wherein a first set of baffle plate hanger hooks at a first end of the baffle plate are a first length, and a second set of baffle plate hanger hooks at a second end of the baffle plate are a second length, and wherein, after installation, the baffle plate is disposed at an angle from horizontal.
 6. The deflective baffle system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hanger strips, wherein the hanger strips are coupled to opposing perimeter sides of the baffle plate parallel to a line of fire.
 7. The deflective baffle system of claim 7, further comprising a binding channel that couples adjacent deflective baffle assemblies together in a direction perpendicular to the line of fire.
 8. The deflective baffle system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of hanger strips have a first end and a second end and the first end includes a hook that is integral to the hanger strip and is configured to hook to the support rod.
 9. The deflective baffle system of claim 1, further comprising a pair of reinforcement members coupled to opposing perimeter sides of the baffle plate perpendicular to a line of fire.
 10. The deflective baffle system of claim 10, further comprising a cap channel that couples adjacent deflective baffle assemblies together in a direction parallel to the line of fire.
 11. The deflective baffle system of claim 1, wherein the plate baffle hook further comprises a seismic washer coupled to an interior portion of the hook to retain the hook on the support rod.
 12. The deflective baffle system of claim 1, wherein each hook of a first set of baffle plate hanger hooks at a first end of the baffle plate face a first direction, and each hook of a second set of baffle plate hanger hooks at a second end of the baffle face a second direction.
 13. The deflective baffle system of claim 13, wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite.
 14. The deflective baffle system of claim 13, wherein the first direction and the second direction face each other.
 15. The deflective baffle system of claim 1, further comprising a baffle mounting support structure, the baffle mounting support structure comprising: a plurality of support rods; a plurality of mounting supports; a plurality of adjustable hanger assemblies configured to support the support rods, wherein the adjustable hanger assemblies are secured vertically to the mounting supports, wherein the deflective baffle assemblies couple to the support rods.
 16. The deflective baffle system of claim 16, wherein the vertical height of the support rods may be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the length of the adjustable hanger assemblies. 